John W. Olsen

Colonie- John W. Olsen, devoted husband and father, dependable and steadfast grandfather and great grandfather passed away on Tuesday, April 19 surrounded by his loving family. John was the son of the late Carl and Ruth Olsen and attended Albany High School. After enlisting in the Navy, John served during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, John met his beloved, late wife, Mae. John and Mae were married August 20, 1955 and later became the proud parents of a ragtag team of 5 children who grew up on Martingale Drive in Colonie. John was a man whose family wanted for nothing and he worked hard to make sure of that. John worked for Liquid Carbonic, Montgomery Ward, ABF, Dorn's and Carolina. He was a proud member of the Local 294 Teamsters and also served as the Shop Steward. A frequent recipient of the Cleanest Truck Award, John was known for being meticulous about his appearance and possessions, even darning pairs of pants that were older than some of his grandchildren.

After retiring from ABF, John went to work for his son, James, at Olsen's Hardware and Garden Center, where he was a driver and could always be counted on for timely and precise deliveries of mulch, stone, and dirt. Despite having suffered a massive stroke in November 2010, John later went back to work at Olsen's and could be seen zooming around the store on his scooter putting everything back in its place. John was the strong, silent presence to his whirlwind of a wife and was the backbone of a large and tight-knit family. John was known for his signature glasses nudge, making the perfect pancakes for grandkid sleepovers and skimming every last bit of debris out of the inground pool while wearing his Hawaiian shirt and Panama hat.

John is survived by his children, John Olsen, Trophy Club, TX; Bruce (Sandra) Olsen, Glenmont; James (Robin) Olsen, Slingerlands; Karen (Charles) Sullivan, Latham; Mark (Patricia) Olsen, Latham; as well as 14 grandchildren, Jillian, Shannon, Adam, Charles, Jarrod, Daniel, Christopher, Jonathan, Sara, Megan, Rebecca, Andrew, Alexandra, and Benjamin; as well as 18 great-grandchildren. John is survived by his siblings, Robert (Carol) Olsen, Delores (Gene) Messercola. John is also survived by his inlaws, Arlene Smith, John (Roberta) Cleary, James (Charlotte) Cleary, and Donald (Shirlee) Cleary. John is predeceased by his mother, Ruth; father, Carl; and brothers, Carl and Paul.

A special thanks to John's neighbors, Janek and Kelly Chrzanowski, who could always be counted on and were more family than neighbors. Gratitude is also extended to Pam Fiano, who was John's caregiver and provided the best care and companionship that the family could have asked for. The family also wishes to thank all of the other caregivers and medical professionals, including the wonderful staff at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center, who were there to support John in his wishes of remaining at home, which they and the family were able to help him fulfill.

A calling hour will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022 from 3pm-6pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd. Colonie, NY 12205. A funeral ceremony will be held on Monday at 11am at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Those wishing to remember John in a special way may send a donation in his name to The Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.